Strathmore hosts annual Remembrance Day ceremony

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: November 13 2024 Strathmore Times

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore’s annual Remembrance Day Ceremony was held in front of the Legion Branch #10 building to honour Strathmore’s and Canada’s fallen soldiers.

John Watson Photo

Strathmore gathered in front of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10 building on the morning of Nov. 11, to pay respects and honour Canada’s soldiers for the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. 

“We started off fairly early for the service today to make sure that we could get all the flags out because I knew we were going to get the wind … we have added three flags that we have not had in this branch before, which is the naval ensign, the brand new army ensign, and the air force ensign,” said David Haines, first vice president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10. “I did not know how many people to expect to show up today being outside and everything else, but I was pleasantly surprised there was well over 500 people I believe today, so I am very, very happy to see that.”

Additionally, the Strathmore Fire Department volunteered an engine to hoist a Canadian Flag high into the air to be suspended above the ceremony. 

Haines explained the responsibility of remembrance falls to Canadians to remember the fallen and those who served to fight for the freedoms enjoyed today.

“There was an awful lot of people in the military who lost their lives as a result of the number of wars – World War I, World War II, Korea, Afghanistan, a lot of peacekeeping missions, a lot of policing missions … this was a perfect example today of the people of Strathmore not forgetting,” said Haines. “Just try to keep it in your minds that we have people who are still overseas. We have people in Latvia right now for instance. We (are) never not (doing) anything – we are always doing something in the military.”

The Legion will now prepare to host their annual contest for local students to submit poetry, art, essays, posters, and other mediums for a chance to win prizes and opportunities to have their work on display at Dominion Command in Ottawa.

More information about the contest will be distributed as it becomes available and deadlines are determined.